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Nuvelo, at its May 31, 2007 annual shareholders meeting, announced 
Phase 1 trials of its NU206 gastrointestinal growth factor product will 
begin within the next few weeks.  "NU206 (R-spondin1) is a 
recombinant, secreted protein that acts as a highly specific stimulator 
of the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelial cells as demonstrated in early 
animal studies. Preclinical studies suggest it can promote growth and 
repair of these tissues in animal models of radiation treatment or 
chemotherapy for cancer, as well as in animal models of inflammatory 
bowel disease and short bowel syndrome."  A webcast of the annual 
meeting with a slide presentation is available at Nuvelo's website 
which contains a short discussion of NU206 near the end of the 
meeting.  

NU206 will initially be tested in patients undergoing radiation 
treatment or chemotherapy for cancer.  Trials in IBD patients will also 
follow.  In a study of experimental colitis in mice, R-spondin1 
dramatically prevented mucosal damage and restored mucosal 
integrity in IL-10–deficient mice with drug induced colitis (a model for 
IBD.)  Slide Number 23 of the meeting presentation shows a healthy 
villus and crypt mucosal structure in mice treated with NU206 
compared to severe mucosal damage in untreated mice.  The 
implications for repairing and preventing mucosal damage in celiac 
disease is obvious.  Rapid mucosal repair in celiacs by using NU206 
therapy would quickly alleviate the persistant problems caused by 
increased intestinal permeability as well as restoring other normal 
mucosal functions.

< http://www.nuvelo.com/ >
< http://www.nuvelo.com/products/NU206/ >

Gastroenterology. 2007 April; 132(4) pgs 1331-1343
R-spondin1, A Novel Intestinotrophic Mitogen, Ameliorates 
Experimental Colitis in Mice 
Zhao J, De Vera J, Narushima S, Beck EX, Palencia S, Shinkawa P, Kim 
KA, Liu Y, Levy M, Berg DJ, Abo A, Funk WD
http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/PIIS0016508507003484/abstract 

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